Examine how the 1920s were different from the decades before and after. Looking back from nearly a century later, the beginning of the Modern Age seems both familiar and old-fashioned. Bobbed hair, forbidden dances, and women's sports were seen as a little too modern by some. Political cartoons, newsreels, animations, and subway posters provide a glimpse back in time. The automobile evolved from a luxury item to mass production. Radio evolved from military to household use. Airplanes evolved from entertainment to a travel option. The Roaring Twenties was seen as a Golden Age until the Stock Market crashed.
Many business owners lost everything when the stock market crashed in 1929. Seemingly overnight, people went from feeling rich to having nothing. Many who invested in the get rich quick schemes of the stock market knew little about the risks. Even those who did not invest in the stock market lost their savings as banks failed due to stock market investments. Investigate how the crash of the stock market triggered the Great Depression and caused many to lose their jobs and homes. Learn about government reforms designed to help those impacted by the Great Depression.
During the 1920s in America a new version of the Ku Klux Klan formed. Digital History offers an article about this time in history and discusses the activities of the Ku Klux Klan. Learn which groups were the target of the Ku Klux Klan and what contributed to the Klan's growth. The article describes the number of members, some of their occupations and the states in which the Klan was the most active. Find out about one of the Klan's leaders.
A few former Confederate soldiers formed the first Ku Klux Klan. The group spread across the South and became a source of terror, but Klan activity declined at the end of the 19th century. After World War I, it reemerged and grew to millions of members nationwide. Communities were polarized over the Ku Klux Klan, with some supporting the organization and others strongly opposed. A school superintendent tells about the time his uncle defrocked a Klan member and discovered he was a minister. A woman who was a child in the 1920s tells about identifying a shopkeeper by his feet.
An infamous American hate group, the Ku Klux Klan has a history of violence against blacks, Jews, and homosexuals. These vigilantes have also attacked Catholics and immigrant groups. The Klan called itself a Christian organization in the early years, but has since become more diverse. They tried to use intimidation and lynchings to keep Southern blacks from exercising civil rights during Civil War Reconstruction and later to prevent desegregation. In the 1920s, they targeted Jewish and Catholic immigrants. The Klan has splintered into militant and mainstream divisions, but remains racist.
The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture explains the history of the Ku Klux Klan in Oklahoma. Learn when the group first invaded the state and read some background information on how the Klan was started in the late 1800s. Discover what social conditions were like in Oklahoma in the 1920s that contributed to a quickly growing Ku Klux Klan membership. The activities of the Klan and its eventual decline are explained. Links in blue on this page take you to other articles in the online encyclopedia.
White Southerners resisted Reconstruction through Jim Crow laws and underground resistance groups like the Ku Klux Klan. White robes protected their identities as they engaged in intimidation and violence against African Americans and any whites who supported black rights. Their goal was white supremacy, but their methods eventually alarmed Southern white communities. After they lost public support, they disbanded. The Jim Crow laws remained, and some were even supported by the Supreme Court. Explore newspaper articles, editorial cartoons, and Klan advertisements from the late 19th and early 20th century.
White supremacy didn't just occur in the American South. Learn about the Ku Klux Klan in the Pacific Northwest and Washington State. Klansmen met in Seattle in the 1920s, printed a monthly publication, and even had a parade in Bellingham. This white supremacist organization experienced a second wave across the United States after World War I with an anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic agenda. Oregon had one of the strongest Klan chapters. The KKK dominated three state legislatures and provided political pressure to enact immigration restrictions. They intimidated labor activists and Japanese farmers, but the voters wouldn't let them outlaw Catholic schools.
Discover the Clash of Cultures in this collection of primary sources that documents the clash of cultures that marked the 1910s and 1920s. After reading an insightful introduction to this collection you can explore the world of prohibition through cartoons, flyers, documents, photographs, and posters. Then you can learn all about the Scopes trial by examining photographs, cartoons, diagrams, and documents, find out how life had changed for women through images and documents, and also uncover the wrongdoings involving immigration restrictions and the Ku Klux Klan.
On July 11, 1914, 19-year-old George Herman “Babe” Ruth played his first major league baseball game as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. This article was written in honor of this day. It includes information on the signing of George Herman Ruth, tells you how he got the nickname Babe, and highlights his first year as a professional baseball player. This information is followed by a full biography of Babe Ruth that begins with a bit of information on his childhood.
Born in Baltimore in 1895, Babe Ruth began his baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles, a minor-league team at the time. He made just $250 a month. Babe Ruth began his major-league career with the Boston Red Sox in 1914. He went to play for the New York Yankees in 1920, returning to the Boston Red Sox for his final year in 1935. Investigate his career batting statistics including hits, home runs, walks, stolen bases, and batting average.
With a slugging style that changed the way baseball was played, Babe Ruth was the forerunner of the modern sports superstar. His unprecedented hitting led him to the Hall of Fame and his legendary status as the best baseball player in history. Discover his beginning in the minor leagues and his brief career as a pitcher. The New York Yankees ruled in the 1920s and 1930s as Ruth set multiple home run records and appeared in ten World Series.
In 1927, famous baseball player Ty Cobb made the 4000th hit of his career! America's Story takes you back to this time in history where you can see photos of the great Ty Cobb in action. Learn when he started his baseball career, how long he played, and what teams he played for. You can find out his nickname and learn how he got it. You can also find out about a baseball scandal that Ty Cobb was involved in.
From the state of Georgia, this article tells about one of its most famous people, Ty Cobb. Learn about the early life of this baseball player. His early years in Major League baseball are described. You will find many details from games he played while with the Detroit Tigers. Information is also available about the Chalmers Award controversy. His many records and his skills at baseball are discussed. Learn about his award as baseball's first Most Valuable Player.
Baseball legend, Ty Cobb, is the focus of this web site. Learn about the baseball player who holds the highest career batting average in baseball history. Read many anecdotes about Cobb's competitiveness in the game. His baseball records are listed. Details are given for many of Cobb's games and seasons. Be sure to look at the historical photographs of Ty Cobb. A baseball chronology begins with Cobb's debut in 1904. You can also find information about several of Cobb's teammates.
Almost 70 years after the end of his career, Ty Cobb is still considered by many to be the best player in baseball history. He set or equaled more records than any player. Visit the Ty Cobb Museum and learn about the Century's Greatest Hitter. View his career statistics, which provide records of his major accomplishments in baseball. A Did You Know? section contains interesting trivia. Read about the charitable causes Ty Cobb participated in. Several photographs are featured on the web site.
ESPN Sports Century is a history of the best players, coaches, events, and games of the 20th century. This special article is about Ty Cobb, baseball player who was voted number twenty out of fifty best athletes. Although the article describes Cobb's great skills in the game of baseball and the many records he earned, it also talks about the reputation Cobb earned for his negative attitude and his aggressiveness. Find out about Cobb's accomplishments, and see how he earned this reputation.
At age 16, Jack Dempsey was a hobo! Find out about the life of this historic professional fighter at this site from this PBS documentary about fighters and the history of boxing. His boxing style is described. Discover how Dempsey became the new world champion in 1919. See how why Dempsey was portrayed by promoters as a rough character. You will learn how Dempsey lost his title in 1926. Dempsey's comeback attempt is described, and there are photos of him.
Not only was Jack Dempsey a professional fighter, he was also a lieutenant in the Coast Guard Reserves. Two great photos at this site show Dempsey in his uniform. Learn about Dempsey's professional boxing career and how it started. Find out how he won the heavyweight boxing title in 1919. The events that led to this loss of his title in 1926 are described. Discover Dempsey's many contributions to the Coast Guard as director of physical education.
During a time of great prosperity in America, Jack Dempsey rose to fame as a national sports hero in the boxing ring. A tough heavyweight boxer, Dempsey came from a mining family. Born in West Virginia, his family moved West with the Mormons. Dempsey spent time as a miner and cowboy before he began prize fighting. As a child, he shined shoes and picked crops. As a teenager, he began riding the rails, looking for his next fight. Dempsey took the heavyweight title from Jess Willard in 1919, and eventually gave it up to Gene Tunney.
Jack Dempsey ruled boxing from 1919 to 1926. Read the obituary from June 1, 1983, to learn about the life of this boxer. Learn why Dempsey's popularity increased once he lost a championship. Dempsey is described as a free spender and a soft touch. You will find descriptions of how he treated people and why he was considered a gentleman. In contrast, you will also find out how he was in the boxing ring. Several of his most famous fights are detailed.
Lou Gehrig's significant contributions to the game of baseball are the focus of this site from Baseball Historian. A narrative of Gehrig's career in baseball is offered, with a seemingly never-ending list of his records, statistics, and awards for his seventeen seasons with the New York Yankees. A discussion of Gehrig's performance when he followed Babe Ruth in the batting order is featured, along with a comparison of Gehrig's skills to those of other baseball players.
Visit the official web site of Lou Gehrig and learn all about the life and career of this famous Major League Baseball player. The web site offers multiple sections that contain a wealth of information on this American hero. You will find that there is a biography, photo gallery, and a video for you to enjoy. You will also get to discover what Lou Gehrig said in his speeches, compare his statistics, and learn about many of his impressive achievements. The official Lou Gehrig web site also offers many links to related sites and information.
This commentary on Lou Gehrig is part of an online series by ESPN dedicated to the best athletes of the century. The author analyzes some of the ironies which are connected to Gehrig's life and baseball career. The author believes the main irony is that amidst all Gehrig's records, awards, and a streak of 2,130 consecutive games, Gehrig is most remembered for his touching farewell speech in which he professed to be the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
This web site provides details on the life and baseball career of Lou Gehrig. Read about his connection with teammate Joe DiMaggio and how DiMaggio describes Lou Gehrig's personality. Get brief details on Lou Gehrig's childhood. Find out what his accomplishments were during his baseball career and about his tearful goodbye to this sport.
You can access articles related to the 191 Black Sox Scandal from historic newspapers that belong to the Chronicling America digital collection. A list of the available articles includes the dates and sources of publication and also allows you to access the items just by clicking on the titles. In addition to having access to this collection you will also find a list of important dates that are relevant to the 1919 Black Sox Scandal.
This article from the Encyclopedia of Chicago tells you about the Black Sox scandal of 1919. It explains what happened after the Black Sox, one of the best teams in history, lost the first game of the World Series and lost the series itself. You will find details that explain how and why the game was thrown, the players involved in the scandal, and the charges against the eight involved. Information on the trial includes the outcome of the trial and the impact this had on the eight players' baseball careers and on Americans' outlook on the game.
A famous trial in the history of baseball was the Black Sox trial that took place in 1921, two years following the infamous scandal. The details of the scandal are presented to you along with this large collection of documents, photographs, and accounts related to the scandal and the trial. You will find a chronology of events, a diagram, information on key players, and series and player statistics. There are also many court documents, quotes from the trial, a list of historic events, and a collection of photographs.
This list of facts is a game-by-game account of the 1919 World Series when the favored Chicago White Sox fixed the game and lost to the Cincinnati Reds. The first game described in the list began on October 1, 1919 and the last game was played on October 9, 1919. Following this list you will find details on the exposed scandal. You will learn of the players involved in the scandal, the legal ramifications, and the professional. The judge's final statement in the case is presented as well.
This section of the Chicago Historical Society web site presents the story of the 1919 World Series scandal, which involved eight Chicago White Sox players allegedly throwing the series to lose against the Cincinnati Reds. The web site is illustrated with photographs and includes a general history of the White Sox as well as the extensive, detailed story of the scandal.
This very personal story of Shoeless Joe Jackson is provided by the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library. Not only does this story include information about Jackson's career in baseball, but it takes you back to his childhood, allowing you to understand another side of the baseball player. In addition to this information you will find the story of Jackson's involvement in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal and recent revelations that may shed new light on the entire scandal.
Not only will you learn about the games in the 1919 World Series, but the Baseball Almanac also tells you all about the scandal that was exposed involving eight players of the Chicago White Sox. The details of the scandal from beginning to end are provided for you along with charts filled with related facts and statistics. You will find 1919 World Series facts, statistics for each of the eight games, composite hitting statistics for each team, and composite pitching statistics for each team.
An advantage of a history web is that you have the opportunity to continue browsing related information on your topic of study. This particular page offers you information on Sacco and Vanzetti, two anarchists who were convicted for robbery and murder in the 1920s. The Sacco-Vanzetti trial became a historic trial due to multiple controversies. In addition to this information on the convicted men, you will also find a list of related topics that you can explore. You will find information on immigration during this time period, the Red Scare, the Palmer Raids, and discussions on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial.
The day Sacco and Bartolomeo were executed is the featured story of this particular On This Day special. On August 23, 1927 Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed in Boston for two murders committed during a 1920 robbery. The events that took place the day of the robbery are described in detail along with the reasons the case became so controversial. Information on the trial reveals the causes for much of the controversy and you will also find a discussion on anarchism as well.
An Account of the Sacco-Vanzetti Case is a collection of documents and materials related to the trial of Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco. The collection includes a chronology, related maps, an overview of the Red Scare, and biographies of all the trial participants. There is a summary of the evidence and responses that is presented in an easy-to-read chart, the statements from both Sacco and Vanzetti at the sentencing, and many Appellate Court and clemency decisions. You also have the opportunity to read some of the letters Sacco and Vanzetti wrote from prison and view a collection of related images.
This digital textbook chapter tells you about the Sacco and Vanzetti case that took place during the 1920s. An overview of their case tells you about the crime they were accused of committing and the controversy that surrounded the case. The chapter includes information related to the Red Scare, Sacco and Vanzetti's backgrounds, and the timing of Sacco and Vanzetti's arrest in relation to the deportation of foreign radicals. The effect of the executions of these men and the overall case is described and you will also discover what historians believe about Sacco and Vanzetti's involvement in the crime.
The lives and trials of Nicola Sacco and Batolomeo Vanzetti are presented in great detail beginning with some background information on their Italian upbringing prior to 1908 when the men immigrated to the United States. This account of the events that surrounded the murders for which the men were executed includes information related to Sacco's job and family life while living in the United States as well as his involvement in anarchism with Vanzetti. You will learn how police were led to these men, what took place during the trials, and the impact of their executions on history.
This is not a typical story about immigrants coming to America in the early 1900s. You will be asked to begin a journey that will take you back in time to Italy and the United States. You will explore a map of Massachusetts and Connecticut, New York, and Ellis Island to learn the stories of two men, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. You will also explore a map of Italy that shows you where these men were raised and tells you about their lives before coming to America
On the eightieth anniversary of the Scopes Trial, the NPR web site published a timeline of events that led up to the trial, the trial itself and its aftermath. Sometimes called the Monkey Trial because of its focus on evolution, the Scopes Trial created a furor and attracted interest across America. This site will give you an excellent overview of the trial in its historical context. Photographs, quotations from articles written at the time, and even a Scopes Trial song are included. Find out how the trial ended but how its controversial questions have not been put to rest.
Visit the web site of the Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) to learn more about the famous Scopes Trial of 1925. The SIA uncovered rare, unpublished photographs from the trial and put them on the web site. Read the captions on each picture and the events of that historic week-long trial will come alive for you. Meet the defendant, John Thomas Scopes, and the lawyers, William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow as well as other key players in the trial. See the high school where the crime was committed and the courthouse where Scopes was tried. There is an error in the code, so make sure you scroll down to see the page and images.
If you want to gain an in-depth understanding of the Scopes Trail, be sure to visit the web site of the law school of the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Read a detailed description of the trial in the context of America in the 1920s. Explore the site to discover political cartoons about the trial, biographies of the key figures, and journalistic accounts of the trial from the time. You can also see pictures and a timeline and read about the evolution controversy in Tennessee and elsewhere.
Experience the drama of the Scopes Trial of 1925 by watching a brief film about the highly publicized trial. Find out why the conflict over the teaching of evolution really was symbolic of two different ways of looking at the world. In addition to the video, this site includes background on the trial. Find out about the two lawyers, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, who clashed in the courtroom. Discover what happened to John Scopes, the biology teacher on trial. Sometimes called the monkey trial, the Scopes trial reflected changes in society that are still being discussed today.
This PBS web site is a wealth of information on the Scopes Trial of 1925. Often referred to as a clash between science and religion, the Scopes Trial was also nicknamed the Monkey Trial because it concerned the teaching of evolution in public schools. Explore all the sections of the site to find out why this trial was such an important one in American history. Study the timeline and biographical information on the major figures in the trial. See political cartoons from the era and hear monkey-themed songs that were composed about the trial. Excellent primary sources are also included.
The Scopes Trial was one of the most famous trials in America in the twentieth century. John Scopes was a biology teacher who was taken to court in 1925 for teaching the theory of evolution in a Tennessee public school. The state of Tennessee had passed a law forbidding the teaching of evolution. Find out why the trial got so much publicity and who the lawyers were. Discover what the outcome was, what happened to John Scopes, and when the law was finally repealed.
Deepen your understanding of the Scopes Trial by reading this online article, originally published in American History magazine. Find out about the historical context in which the trial took place and learn why it is so important. Experience the carnival-like atmosphere that surrounded the small town of Dayton, Tennessee where John Scopes, a biology teacher, was being tried for teaching evolution. Learn about Charles Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution,; John Butler, who crusaded to forbid the teaching of evolution in Tennessee's public schools; John Scopes, the teacher; and Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, the lawyers.
Get the full story of the Scopes Trial and its significance in American history by visiting this University of Virginia web site. Find out how the Butler Law, which prohibited the teaching of the theory of evolution in Tennessee schools, set the groundwork for one of the most famous trials in American history. Learn about the real people who played important roles in this true-life drama, which really symbolized more than just a conflict between evolution and religion. Excerpts from the trial are included and links to related information.
Lucky Luciano (Charles) was an Italian-American mobster. He was considered the father of modern organized crime. Luciano was the mastermind of the postwar expansion of the international heroin trade. His family emigrated in New York City in 1906. Lucky Luciano was associated with other crime names such as Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Frank Costello. Lucky Luciano entered the crime family of Joe the Boss Masseria and within five years worked his way to being in charge of prostitution, bootlegging, and other illegal enterprises.
Lucky Luciano was the powerful chief of American organized crime in the 1930s. Even in prison he still had a major influence on the world of organized crime. Read about Luciano's early dealings with mugging, shoplifting, extortion and drugs. Discover why he was called Lucky and see how he survived his one way ride. Find out when he joined the ranks of New York's rising crime boss, Joe Masseria, and learn what finally got him sent to prison.
When Lucky Luciano was ten, he moved with his family from Italy to New York City and immediately became a bully. Follow Luciano's life of crime and see why he was considered the Boss of all Bosses. Find out how he evaded the law by escaping to Hot Springs, Arkansas only to be discovered, captured, released and arrested again. Luciano was sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison.
This Italian-American gangster transformed organized crime with a legitimate business model. Lucky Luciano worked his way up through the ranks in New York City and then eliminated his boss and his boss' key rival. Instead of following family and ethnic loyalties, Lucky's organization had a board of directors and was all about profit. Sentenced to at least 30 years in prison, Lucky continued to run his organization from behind bars. He managed to get a deal where he was released from prison and deported to Italy. Legends say he helped the government fight the Nazis and created Murder, Inc.
From the National Archives and Records Administration government Web series American Originals, this profile on convicted organized crime leader Al Capone features a summary describing the impact of his criminal career on the social and political life of Chicago, especially during the Prohibition era in the early twentieth century. The site also includes a copy of his police photograph, and the original 1931 court verdict sentencing Capone to prison, not for his participation in nationally organized criminal activities, but on charges of income tax evasion.
The FBI provides you with profiles of famous cases and this particular one offers information on Al Capone, known to some as Scarface. Capone's mug shot and criminal record with fingerprints accompanies a profile that reveals the many illegal activities he took part in that placed him onto the FBI's famous cases list. Included in this information you will learn a bit about Al Capone's life and death after he served time in prison for the crimes he committed. Additional links are available.
Alphonse Capone, otherwise known as Al, was born in Italy, but became a notorious American gangster in the 1920s. This encyclopedia article tells you about Capone's illegal activities that began well before his move to Chicago and how they continued as he terrorized the city up until his indictment in 1931. After learning of the horrible crimes committed by Al Capone, you may be surprised to find what it was that finally sent him to prison. Details of his eventual release are also included.
Al Capone's control of Chicago's underground came to an end on October 17, 1931 when the gangster was convicted of income tax evasion. This article discusses Al Capone's story that included an eleven year jail sentence. It provides you with background information on Al Capone, explains how he turned to the world of crime, and mentions some of his illegal activities. Information on authorities' long road to putting Capone in jail is described and a discussion on Capone's imprisonment and death is provided as well.
The Eighteenth and Twenty-first Amendments to the U.S. Constitution really go hand in hand, and this web page will help you learn more about both. Follow the development of the Prohibition movement to the establishment of the 18th Amendment. Then see how the anti-Prohibition movement gained the force to amend the Constitution to repeal it. Scroll through the text, which is full of facts, statistics, and interesting characters from U.S. history. Find out how the Eighteenth Amendment led to many unintended consequences. Discover why, in some cases, it was more difficult to buy alcohol after the 21st Amendment became law.
Paiute Indians lived in Nevada long before Spanish explorers came to the Las Vegas Valley. This timeline explores the history of Las Vegas from 1829 to the present. Learn about early forts, Las Vegas Rancho, and early settlers. Identify some of the people associated with Las Vegas' history and learn about the first post office, train, and theatre. Gambling was illegal in 1910 but was legalized in 1931. Find out when different casinos opened and when gaming revenues surpassed a billion dollars. Watch the population climb as Las Vegas grows. Explore mergers, implosions, and the centennial celebration.
Sports Figures
Black Socks Scandal
Sacco and Vanzetti
Scopes Monkey Trial
Lucky Luciano
Al Capone
Elliot Ness
Bugsy Segal